Černá hora Peat Bog

The Černá hora Peat Bog is the largest forest peat bog in the Krkonoše Mountains. It was formed in the flat saddle between Černá hora and Světlá hora and covers an area of approximately 60 hectares. Unlike open peat bogs, forest peat bogs are characterized by a higher occurrence of cottongrass and sedges.

The peat layer reaches a depth of up to 2.5 metres, with a total peat volume of approximately 420,000 m³. Annual precipitation averages around 1,400 mm. Snow cover usually lasts from November to May and can reach depths of up to three metres. The average annual temperature is approximately +2°C (compared to +6.8°C in Trutnov).

Among the rare plant species found here are mountain everlasting, bog bilberry, crowberry, hare’s-tail cottongrass, common cottongrass, bog asphodel and thread rush. Local wildlife includes pond skaters, viviparous lizards, common frogs and, on rare occasions, the western capercaillie. The area is also known as an important red deer rutting ground.

The Černá hora Peat Bog and its immediate surroundings are part of the first and second protection zones of the Krkonoše National Park, where stricter nature conservation rules apply.

The KRNAP administration has created a 4.5-kilometre educational trail with several information panels.

The trail leads from Černá bouda via Václavák, Hubert's Viewpoint and Velké Pardubické boudy. It can be joined from several directions, including the red hiking trail from Pec pod Sněžkou, from the summit of Černá hora near the upper station of the ČERNOHORSKÝ EXPRESS gondola, or via the green-marked trail from Janské Lázně (Cesta T).

The Černá hora Peat Bog Educational Trail is closed every year from 15 March to 31 May in order to protect sensitive wildlife species from disturbance. Current information about trail accessibility can be found here.